Creativity Is Dead

[Benoit23]

Yeah, it's really not about the parts at all. It's about community. The pro-touring segment is like no other. The aftermarket industry claims about 4 million vehicles and about 18 billion in gross sales. Street/strip, 4x4, late model accessories, street rods, oval track, restoration, etc. From a national perspective--the aftermarket is tiny. It's an entire industry that barely equals or exceeds the gross sales of Lowe's Home Improvement.
Now break out the pro-touring segment. My numbers estimate far less than 100,000 real pro-touring cars. By any measure, those numbers are way small. It's what's known as a vertical market like Ferraris or Zoot Suits. Did you bet the farm on pro-touring? Too bad, so sad.

So, assuming there are no fortunes to be made in pro-touring, what's left? Passion, camaraderie, community. The pro-touring segment is like no other. I firmly believe that we are smarter, more informed, more creative, and more dedicated than the average aftermarket enthusiast. I'm sorry if that sounds righteous. For example, we could go out and by a used C4, C5 vette and have comparable performance with a lot less headaches. Got some tin? Step up to a new Z06. Not a Chevy guy? Score a new Mustang or Challenger. But we don't. We can't. Like junkies to a dark alley, we push on. We solve problems. We get creative. We work together. We cannot be B.S.'d.

Companies like Unique Performance crashed and burned because they overestimated the size of the market and underestimated the intelligence of their customers.

I literally have no idea who that inquisitive machinist worked for. ...Doesn't matter. So it's not fair to point the finger at anyone. Review my posts and it will be abundantly clear that I did not accuse any one individual or business. Nor have I mentioned or pimped my products or services in this thread.

The subject of creativity was introduced for the good of the pro-touring community. We should stick together--business to business and business to consumer. 'Cause that's what communities do. Let's keep it that way. That's how we dooz it.

Thank you Steve,
This is the best post in this thread.

[Steve Chryssos]

Thanks Chris. And I spelled "their" right.

[Tony_SS]

I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.

Bill Cosby

....

[XLexusTech]

Thanks Chris. And I spelled "their" right.

Thats Funny!

[neki67]

Thank you Steve,
This is the best post in this thread.

I say "Aye" to that!

Oh and Steve, never loose that sense of humor!

[BMF Machine]

Yeah, it's really not about the parts at all. It's about community. The pro-touring segment is like no other. The aftermarket industry claims about 4 million vehicles and about 18 billion in gross sales. Street/strip, 4x4, late model accessories, street rods, oval track, restoration, etc. From a national perspective--the aftermarket is tiny. It's an entire industry that barely equals or exceeds the gross sales of Lowe's Home Improvement.
Now break out the pro-touring segment. My numbers estimate far less than 100,000 real pro-touring cars. By any measure, those numbers are way small. It's what's known as a vertical market like Ferraris or Zoot Suits. Did you bet the farm on pro-touring? Too bad, so sad.

So, assuming there are no fortunes to be made in pro-touring, what's left? Passion, camaraderie, community. The pro-touring segment is like no other. I firmly believe that we are smarter, more informed, more creative, and more dedicated than the average aftermarket enthusiast. I'm sorry if that sounds righteous. For example, we could go out and by a used C4, C5 vette and have comparable performance with a lot less headaches. Got some tin? Step up to a new Z06. Not a Chevy guy? Score a new Mustang or Challenger. But we don't. We can't. Like junkies to a dark alley, we push on. We solve problems. We get creative. We work together. We cannot be B.S.'d.

Companies like Unique Performance crashed and burned because they overestimated the size of the market and underestimated the intelligence of their customers.

I literally have no idea who that inquisitive machinist worked for. ...Doesn't matter. So it's not fair to point the finger at anyone. Review my posts and it will be abundantly clear that I did not accuse any one individual or business. Nor have I mentioned or pimped my products or services in this thread.

The subject of creativity was introduced for the good of the pro-touring community. We should stick together--business to business and business to consumer. 'Cause that's what communities do. Let's keep it that way. That's how we dooz it.

That sounds like the Steve'O I met at SEMA....... Calm, too CooL, and way too collected. Push on Bro!....... Now, I got to get back to getting my swole on! lolol

[WS6]

aye!

[6'9"Witha69]

Aye aye aye!

Sounds like a damn punk rock concert in here!

[Damn True]

That'd be: Oi!-Oi!-Oi!

[6'9"Witha69]

That'd be: Oi!-Oi!-Oi!

Correct for Old school stuff. Some newer stuf by older school artists are either getting lazy or trying to change it up a bit.

I'll take either.

[Damn True]

Or...it could be the the chorus to that old Rugger/Hash song.....

Aye, Aye, Aye, Aye si-si senora
my sister Belinda she crapped out the window
and @#$%'d up my brand new sombrero

There once was a man from South Boston
who drove a shiny red Austin
There was room for his a$$ and six gallons of gas
but his bollocks hung out and he lost 'em

continue with chorus/limerick/chorus till drunk

[Fesler built]

You have to love in the very discussion where Fesler is being accused of stealing ideas there are about 5 guys asking them for parts. I have to say they are doing something right???

What am I being accused of steeling here? because the first comment about me was a joke so I was told. I was just wondering becasue if you look at any of our parts they look like billet OE parts that fit OE cars. Not much that I can really copy and who says people are not coping me because I do have more parts in production than most or all of the other competitors out there.

[Fesler built]

Not to change the subject matter of this thread but Chris (Fesler), do you have anything in the works for the 62-65 Novas?

Yes we are making a ton of NOVA stuff right now as we have a few on hand to get stuff. What are you looking for if you want send me a PM and you can send me stuff. I need all the parts I can get from OE so we can produce everything you guys need.

[CRCRFT78]

What are you looking for if you want send me a PM

I'll do that.

[skatinjay27]

billet OE parts that fit OE cars. Not much that I can really copy and who says people are not coping me because I do have more parts in production than most or all of the other competitors out there.

hate to beat a dead horse BUT that pretty odd that ringbros and mikes custom cars could design 69 lights and some how not look identical to "yours" and marquez's.
thats really something to consider when people make the comment theres only one way to make it fit and look good and thats why "yours" and pasquels designs cross...
like i said in my earlier post big ups to you for the willingness and balls to put your money on the line for cars other than camaro's! and when it comes to those cars thats YOUR r&d work and that takes lots of YOUR time and money... and that I apreciate.

[XLexusTech]

Just when you thought it was over

[68fusion]

hate to beat a dead horse

quick close this thread and send it to the glue factory!

All this makes me want to do more factory resto's... least then there is only one way to make or do something and all your parts already come from China...... and no it doesn't fit.

[BMF Machine]

Production makes me want to ! I thought this thread was about creativity?

Aye!

[Steve Chryssos]

[rickk]

steve givem hell.
rick k